Box Score

Northwestern Ohio UNWO (23-2-1)

Spring Arbor (Mich.) SAU (22-1-1)

Northwestern Ohio UNWO

(23-2-1)

Final

Dec. 03, 2016

Spring Arbor (Mich.) SAU

(22-1-1)

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Northwestern Ohio UNWO	1	0	1
Spring Arbor (Mich.) SAU	0	0	0

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | 12/3/2016 12:00:00 AM

Cougars' bid for back-to-back national titles falls short

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – The Spring Arbor University women's soccer team's quest for a second straight national title came up short Saturday night, falling 1-0 to the University of Northwestern Ohio in the final game of the 2016 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship.

The Racers were able to tally the lone goal of the match in the 32nd minute, and then hold off a late charge by Spring Arbor to earn their first-ever banner. The loss was the first of the year for the Cougars, and the first in their last 43 matches, as they finished the campaign with a 22-1-1 record.

"I am in awe of the toughness, humility and class that our women competed with this year," commented head coach Jason Crist following the game. "Their efforts honored a legacy that is the culmination of years of investment made by players who came before them. They were relentless in every sense of the word, but most of all, in the pursuit of honoring their Lord and Savior with their talents."

In a rematch of last season's national semifinal battle, the contest lived up to the hype as the country's top two teams squared off for this year's ultimate prize. The two sides entered the match as two of the highest scoring offenses in the NAIA, but it was the defensive play that would be the story.

Spring Arbor had a couple looks early in the contest as Renee Broekhuizen and Bethany Balcer both had shot attempts in the first two minutes, but neither attempt was put on frame. In the 20th minute, Aubrey Schierbeek ripped a shot from outside the 18-yard box, but UNOH goalkeeper Nadine Stonjek hauled it in to keep SAU off the scoreboard.

The Racers seized control of the game after that and would generate two chances off corner kicks, but a couple of big stands by the SAU defense kept the contest scoreless. Moments later, however, Northwestern Ohio would earn another corner kick, and this time made it count. Julie Cazanave served the ball to the back post and Hannah Baines was there to head it past a diving Ashley Timmons to put UNOH on top 1-0 in the 33rd minute.

The defensive battle continued in the second half as the teams combined for just one shot. Playing for the fourth time this week, both squads were forced to battle fatigue and the physicality of the match. The Cougars, trailing in a game for the first time since their match with Lindsey Wilson College on Sept. 10, searched desperately for an equalizer in the final minutes, but the Racers survived the late surge to claim the title.

"While tonight was not the result we wanted on the field, there is so much to be proud of with this group," added Crist. "They smashed nearly every SAU record imaginable and were unbeaten through an amazing 42 games. At the end of the day we just ran up against a quality group that was a little more rested and less beat up than we were. Congratulations to UNOH on an amazing accomplishment and their first national title."

Rachel DeLancey, Schierbeek and Balcer were all named to the All-Tournament Team while Balcer also received Select Sport America-NAIA Outstanding Offensive Player honors.

"Competitive excellence is not something to be shied away from, but rather something that we proudly pursue as we seek to honor God with the gifts He's blessed us with," said Crist. "These ladies lived that mission. I am honored to have been a part of their journey."

Crist continued, "Our varsity seniors, Corrie Good, Alyssa Joseph and Rachel DeLancey, have left their fingerprints all over this program. I am so thankful I had the chance to coach them and I am grateful to call them friends."